Hand-held dispenser for pressuresensitive tapes



mamas H. SMITH Aug. 3, 1954 HAND-HELD DISPENSER FOR PRESSURE-SENSITIVE TAPES Filed April 25, 1952 Fig.1

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/ INVENTOR HAQQY SMITH V Patented Aug. 3, 194

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I HAND-HELD DISPENSER FOR PRESSURE- SENSITIVE TAPES Harry Smith, Whittier, Calif. ApplicationApril 25, 1952, Serial No. 284,319

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispenser for pressure-sensitive tapes, and moreparticularly, has reference to a dispenser of the character described adapted to be held in one hand for a user, for application of a length of tape at a selected location, and cutting of the tape after said application.

In many types of work, it is necessary that the worker use pressure-sensitive tapes of various types almost continuously, and considerable time is lost in application of a length of tape to a selected article, and cutting of the tape to a desired length. For example, in shipping rooms, it may be necessary for a worker to spend his full time packaging articles, with any of various types of pressure-sensitive tapes being used in the operation. Over a considerable time, considerable inconvenience and loss of. efiiciency result by reason of the necessity of pulling a selected length of tape from a rollthereof, and cutting the tape for application to the package.

In view of the above, it is the main object of the present invention to provide a hand-held dispenser for pressure-sensitive tapes adapted for either light or heavy duty work, said dispenser being so formed as to be adapted to be gripped in one hand of a user, in av manner which will permit the user to apply .a selected length of tape to a particular article, and cut the tape in the same operation.

Another important object is to provide a dispenser of the character referred to that is adapted for use in association with conventionally formed rolls of pressure-sensitive tape, without requiring the modification or redesigning of said rolls.

Yet another important object is to provide a dispenser as stated which is adapted, by reason of its novel construction, for adjustable mounting relative to the. roll of tape, thereby to permit relocation of the cutting head of the dispenser whenever desired, to adjust the same to the progressively reduced diameter of the roll.

Still another important object is to provide, in a handheld dispenser for pressure-sensitive tapes, a cutting blade-actuating means normally retained out of the path of a length of tape to be applied to a package or the like, but adapted at the same time to be shifted into a tape-cutting position by a simple thumb pressure exerted by the user.

A still further important object is to provide, in a dispenser as described, a novel construction wherein the cutting blade-actuating means is so formed and located relative to the roll-sup- 2 porting base of the device as to permit said base to receive the fingers of the users hands while simultaneously locating the cutting blade-actuating means in position to receive pressure from the thumb of said hand.

Summarized briefly, the invention is in two main parts, these being a base and a head carried by said base. The base is so formed as to engage within the annular core of a conventional roll of pressure-sensitive tape, the head being formed substantially in the shape of an inverted U and being pivotally mounted on the base for adjustment to selected positions relative to the outer diameter of the roll. Means is provided that interengages between the head and base, for retaining the head in selected positions to which it is pivotally adjusted, and mounted on the head is a blade holder adapted to support a conventional razor blade or the like, for movement into and out of a tape-cutting position Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like refer ence characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 1

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a dis-' penser formed in accordance with the present invention, as it appearswhen mounted upon a roll of tape, the dispenser being illustrated in proper position to cut a length of tape after application of said length toa selected article; Figure 2 is an enlarged side'elevational view of'the dispenser mounted on a roll of tape, the tape being illustrated as it appears previous to application of a selected portion thereofto the article; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the dispenser mounted on said roll; Figure 4 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view throughthe base, taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure '1; Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the dispenser, taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the head of the device, takenon line 6-6 of Figure 5. Illustrated in the drawings is a conventionally formed roll of pressure-sensitive tape, designated generally by the reference numeral I0, said roll including an annular core I2 of cardboard or. the like, about which is wound the tape It.

The device T constituting the present invention includes a base or hub designated generally by the reference numeral 16. --Constitutin'g --a;

part of the base or hub is a support block it], having an inner surface 20 formed as a segment of a circle, for engagement against the core l2 of the roll of tape, and having additionally a compoundly curved outer surface 22 shaped as a grip for receiving the fingers of a users hand (see Figure 1).

The base l6 further includes an arcuate member 24, engaging the remaining portion of the core I2, and having inturned ends 25 overlying the finger-receiving surface 22 and secured to the support block I8 by screws 28 or equivalent fastening means.

Formed in the support block [8 is a transverse bore 3Gadapted to receive a removable, headed pivot pin 32. The pin projects beyondthe-opposite side surfaces of the support block, and is threaded on one of its projecting ends, for engagement with a nut 34.

The head of the device has been generally designated 3t, and includes a pair of spaced, parallel side wings or arms 38 adapted to extend along opposite sides of the roll of tape, said side wings being formed at one end with transversely aligned apertures 46 receiving the pivot pin 32, for pivotal mounting of the head 3% upon the base.

The head 36 is formed substantially in the shape of an inverted U, the legs of said U being defined by the side wings or arms 38, and the bight of the U being defined by a crosspiece s2 extending between the other ends of the side wings and fixedly connecting the side wings at said other ends thereof.

Any suitable means can be employed for fixedly connecting the crosspiece 42 to the side wings, and as one example of such a connection, I have illustrated an arrangement wherein the under side of the crosspiece 42 is formed with spaced, parallel grooves 44 (Figure 6) receiving the ad jacent edges of the side wings, said edges of the side wings being adhesively or otherwise fixedly retained within their associated grooves.

Means is provided on the head 36 for retaining the head in selected positions. to which it is pivotally adjusted upon the pin 32, and to this end, a detent is utilized that includes a spring arm 46 that is normally disposed in the full line position thereof illustrated in Figure 4, but which can be swung outwardly to the dotted line position shown in said figure. At one end, the arm 46 is formed with an opening receiving the shank of the pivot pin 32, a headed lock pin 48 being carried by the other end of said arm. The lock pin 48 is extendable through an aperture 50 formed in one of the side wings 38, said aperture communicating with a shallow depression 52 formed in said wide wing and shaped complementarily to the spring arm, 46.

The lock pin 48 is adapted for extension into a selected one of a plurality of recesses 54 formed in the support block it and arranged in an arcuate series having as its center the axis of the pivot pin 32.

By reason of the construction illustrated, it will be apparent that the entire head 36 can be pivotally adjusted relative to the base 16, to selected positions relative to the outer diameter of the roll of tape l0. Thus, assuming that the dispenser is being applied to a new roll, the lock pin 48 would be extended into the uppermost of therecesses 54 illustrated in Figure 5. As the tape is dispensed, the outer diameter of the roll will be reduced, and after approximately onethird of the roll has been used, the spring arm 46 is swung outwardly by the user to the dotted line position thereof shown in Figure 4, for positioning of the lock pin 48 in the middle recess 54. This will position the head 36 for dispensing of the second one-third portion of the roll. After two thirds of the roll has been used, the head 36 will be adjusted to its last position, wherein the lock pin 48 will extend into the lowermost of the recesses 54. This positions the head for dispensing of the remaining tape on theroll.

The side wings 38 are fixedly connected not only by the crosspiece 42, but also by a cross brace 55, and spaced, parallel guide pins 58 disposed forwardly of the crosspiece. The guide pins 58 are so arranged as to permit the extension therethrough of a length of tape to be dispensed, this arrangement being particularly well shown in Figures 2 and 5.

Mounted upon the crosspiece 42 is a slidable blade holder designated generally at 68, said blade holder including a body portion having side walls 52 embracing the crosspiece 42 between them and having transversely aligned slots 66 receiving uide lugs 68 extending outwardly in opposite directions from the opposite sides of the crosspiece. By reason of this'arrangement, the blade holder is mounted for slidable movement toward and away from the guide pins 58.

Springs 76 are employed for the purpose of normally retaining the blade holder in a retracted position, said springs being mounted upon projections 12 extending forwardly from the back wall 64 of the body portion of the blade holder. The springs extend into spring-receiving recesses 74 formed in the cross-piece 42 (Figures 5 and 6), and it will thus be seen under normal conditions, the blade holder will be urged to the right in Figure 5.

Mounted upon the body portion of the blade holder is a cap portion that overlies the top wall of said body portion, said cap portion being provided at its forward end with transversely spaced ears 75 adapted to engage the front end of the crosspiece 42 to limit movement of the blade holder to a retracted position. Movement of the blade holder in an opposite direction, to a tapecutting position, is limited by engagement of the back wall 64 against the rear end of the cross piece 42.

The cap portion of th blade holder is removable from the body portion thereof, but when the device is being used, it is fixedly connected to said body portion in a position wherein a cutting blade 18, which can be a conventional razor blade, is clampably engaged between the cap and body portions of the blade holder. A screw 88 is extended through the cap and body portions and through the blade, for the purpose of fixedly connecting the several portions of the blad holder together, it being understood that whenever it is desired to replace the blade 78, it is merely necessary that the screw be removed for lifting of the cap portion and substitution of a new blade. The device is illustrated in use in Figure 1, wherein a package P has been shown by way of example. Normally, a short length of tape will extend beyond the guide pins 55, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, and accordingly, it is merely necessary that the user position said short length of tape against the package P and force the same into adhering relationship thereto by exerting pressure thereagainst with his thumb.

The user, of the device thenshifts the roll of tape and the dispenser longitudinally of the applied portion of the tape, until a suitable portion of the tape has been unwound from the roll.

When the tape has been unwound to a selected extent, the user exerts pressure with his thumb against the back wall of the blade holder, shifting the blade holder against the pressure of the springs in the direction of the guide pins 58. The tape to be cut, meanwhile, is disposed in the path of the blade 78 carried by the holder, by manipulation of the dispenser and the roll of tape to the position thereof illustrated in Figure 1, wherein it is shown that the tape to be cut is disposed substantially normally to the plane of the cutting blade 18.

In this connection, the blade holder is not only slidable upon the crosspiece, but also has a certain amount of pivotal movement upon the guide lugs 68, so that in pressing the blade holder forward, the user can press downwardly upon the back portion of the blade holder, so as to swing the cutting edge of the blade 18 upwardly to a slight extent and expose it in a position where it will be operative to cut the length of tape.

After the cut is made, the blade holder is released, and will be returned to its normal, retracted position by the springs 10. That portion of the tape on the roll disposed immediately adjacent the cutting location, meanwhile, settles to a position shown in Figures 2 and 5, and defines a projecting piece of tape adapted to be pressed against another article when the operation is to be repeated.

It will be readily observed that the dispenser is so formed as to be capable of being held in one hand, the thumb and fingers of the hand being automatically located for holding the entire device in a convenient position, and for pressing the blade holder forwardly whenever a cut is to be made. At the same time, the position of the parts is such as to permit a desired portion of the tape to be unwound, and thus, the operation of applying the tape to the article and cutting the tape after said application can be carried out with maximum speed and facility.

It is believed to be of importance that the particular angular relation of the cutter head in relation to the roll of tape is such as to promote efi'iciency and ease of handling, since it permits a downward thrust with the thumb, enabling the user to maintain pressure on the tape at all times, to and including the cutting stroke.

It is believed clear that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor changes in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable dispenser for pressure-sensitive tape comprising a hub upon which a roll of such tape is mounted for rotation, said hub having an opening extending therethrough for receiving the fingers of a hand in which the dispenser is held, an arm carried by the hub and extending outwardly therefrom adjacent one side of the roll of tape, spaced parallel pins defining a tape guide carried by the arm and extending outwardly therefrom in spaced parallel relation to the hub across and in spaced relation to the periphery of the tape roll for causing tape leaving the tape roll to move in a rectilinear path which lies tangent to the tape roll, and a tape cutter carried by the arm for movement by the thumb of the hand in which the dispenser is held in a path which lies in spaced substantially parallel relation to the path taken by the tape as it leaves the roll.

2. A portable dispenser for pressure-sensitive tape comprising a hub upon which a roll of such tape is mounted for rotation, said hub having an opening extending therethrough for receiving the fingers of a hand in which the dispenser is held, an arm pivotally connected to the hub adjacent the periphery thereof for movement adjacent one side of the roll in an arcuate path which lies eccentric to the tape roll, spaced parallel pins carried by the arm and defining a tape guide which extends outwardly from the arm in spaced parallel relation to the hub for movement with the arm in a path which intersects the periphery of the tape roll, means carried by the arm and engaging the hub for holding the arm in a selected position relative to the hub and the tape roll, and a tape cutter carried by the arm for movement in a rectilinear path which lies substantially parallel to a tangent extending between the tape guide and the periphery of the tape roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 468,586 Walsh Feb. 9, 1892 557,401 Knowlton Mar. 31, 1896 929,233 Mason July 27, 1909 2,310,522 Gorbatenko Feb. 9, 1943 2,398,840 Morin Apr. 23, 1946 2,401,286 Wright May 28, 1946 2,447,519 Marinsky Aug. 24, 1948 2,469,247 Smith May 3, 1949 2,517,485 Henning Aug. 1, 1950 

